Method, apparatus and system for changing a network based on received network information

ABSTRACT

There is provided a method, said method comprising receiving network information, using said network information to determine whether a change to a network is required, and if so, using said network information to determine at least one cause of a change to the network being required and providing, in dependence of the at least one cause, at least one option for at least one change to said network.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/517,277, filed on Apr. 6, 2017, which is the National Stageof PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2014/071369, filed on Oct. 7,2014. The entire content of the above-referenced applications is herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a method, apparatus and system and inparticular but not exclusively, coordinating traffic between twonetworks, such as a cellular communication network and a wireless localarea network.

BACKGROUND

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enablescommunication sessions between two or more entities such as userterminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing carriersbetween the various entities involved in the communications path. Acommunication system can be provided for example by means of acommunication network and one or more compatible communication devices.The communications may comprise, for example, communication of data forcarrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), textmessage, multimedia and/or content data and so on. Non-limiting examplesof services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, datacommunication or multimedia services and access to a data networksystem, such as the Internet.

In a wireless communication system at least a part of communicationsbetween at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples ofwireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellitebased communication systems and different wireless local networks, forexample wireless local area networks (WLAN). The wireless systems cantypically be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to ascellular systems.

A user can access the communication system by means of an appropriatecommunication device or terminal. A communication device of a user isoften referred to as user equipment (UE). A communication device isprovided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatusfor enabling communications, for example enabling access to acommunication network or communications directly with other users. Thecommunication device may access a carrier provided by a station, forexample a base station of a cell, and transmit and/or receivecommunications on the carrier.

The communication system and associated devices typically operate inaccordance with a given standard or specification which sets out whatthe various entities associated with the system are permitted to do andhow that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameterswhich shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. Anexample of attempts to solve the problems associated with the increaseddemands for capacity is an architecture that is known as the long-termevolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)radio-access technology. The LTE is being standardized by the 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The various development stages ofthe 3GPP LTE specifications are referred to as releases.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect there is provided a method comprising receivingnetwork information, using said network information to determine whethera change to a network is required, and if so, using said networkinformation to determine at least one cause of a change to the networkbeing required and providing, in dependence of the at least one cause,at least one option for at least one change to said network.

Network information may comprise at least one of network performanceinformation, predicted network performance information and networkenvironment information.

The method may comprise determining if a trigger event is occurring independence on network environment information.

The method may comprise disregarding network information associated withsaid trigger event when determining whether to change said network.

The method may comprise displaying said at least one option.

The method may comprise causing said at least one change to saidnetwork.

The method may comprise determining potential cost of said option independence on network information.

The method may comprise determining weighting factors in dependence onsaid potential cost.

The method may comprise applying said weighting factors to a pluralityof options.

Said network information may comprise at least one of network qualityinformation, network capacity information, network load information,network topology information, and customer usage information.

The at least one option may comprise at least one of hardware andsoftware adjustment.

In a second apparatus there is provided an apparatus, said apparatuscomprising means for receiving network information, means for using saidnetwork information to determine whether a change to a network isrequired, and means for, if so, using said network information todetermine at least one cause of a change to the network being requiredand means for providing, in dependence of the at least one cause, atleast one option for at least one change to said network.

Network information may comprise at least one of network performanceinformation, predicted network performance information and networkenvironment information.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining if a trigger event isoccurring in dependence on network environment information.

The apparatus may comprise means for disregarding network informationassociated with said trigger event when determining whether to changesaid network.

The apparatus may comprise means for displaying said at least oneoption.

The apparatus may comprise means for causing said at least one change tosaid network.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining potential cost of saidoption in dependence on network information.

The apparatus may comprise means for determining weighting factors independence on said potential cost.

The apparatus may comprise means for applying said weighting factors toa plurality of options.

Said network information may comprise at least one of network qualityinformation, network capacity information, network load information,network topology information, and customer usage information.

The at least one option may comprise at least one of hardware andsoftware adjustment.

In a third aspect there is provided an apparatus, said apparatuscomprising at least one processor, and at least one memory includingcomputer program code, the at least one memory and the computer programcode configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatusat least to receive network information, use said network information todetermine whether a change to a network configuration is required, andif so, use said network information to determine at least one cause of achange to the network configuration being required and provide, independence of the at least one cause, at least one option for at leastone change to said network configuration.

Network information may comprise at least one of network performanceinformation, predicted network performance information and networkenvironment information.

The apparatus may be configured to determining if a trigger event isoccurring in dependence on network environment information.

The apparatus may be configured to disregard network informationassociated with said trigger event when determining whether to changesaid network.

The apparatus may be configured to display said at least one option.

The apparatus may be configured to cause said at least one change tosaid network.

The apparatus may be configured to determine potential cost of saidoption in dependence on network information.

The apparatus may be configured to determine weighting factors independence on said potential cost.

The apparatus may be configured to apply said weighting factors to aplurality of options.

Said network information may comprise at least one of network qualityinformation, network capacity information, network load information,network topology information, and customer usage information.

The at least one option may comprise at least one of hardware andsoftware adjustment.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a computer program embodied on anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the computer programcomprising program code for controlling a process to execute a process,the process comprising: receiving network information, using saidnetwork information to determine whether a change to a network isrequired, and if so, using said network information to determine atleast one cause of a change to the network being required and providing,in dependence of the at least one cause, at least one option for atleast one change to said network.

Network information may comprise at least one of network performanceinformation, predicted network performance information and networkenvironment information.

The process may comprise determining if a trigger event is occurring independence on network environment information.

The process may comprise disregarding network information associatedwith said trigger event when determining whether to change said network.

The process may comprise displaying said at least one option.

The process may comprise causing said at least one change to saidnetwork.

The process may comprise determining potential cost of said option independence on network information.

The process may comprise determining weighting factors in dependence onsaid potential cost.

The process may comprise applying said weighting factors to a pluralityof options.

Said network information may comprise at least one of network qualityinformation, network capacity information, network load information,network topology information, and customer usage information.

In a fifth aspect there is provided a computer program comprisingcomputer executable instructions which when run on one or moreprocessors perform the method of the first aspect.

In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It shouldbe appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by thecombination of any two or more of the embodiments described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying Figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example communication systemcomprising a base station and a plurality of communication devices;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram, of an example mobile communicationdevice;

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of an example recommender method

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an example recommender system;

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of an example recommender method;

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of an example recommender method;

FIG. 7 shows an example apparatus suitable for performing a recommendermethod;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of an example control apparatus;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining in detail the examples, certain general principles ofa wireless communication system and mobile communication devices arebriefly explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2 to assist inunderstanding the technology underlying the described examples.

In a wireless communication system 100, such as that shown in FIG. 1,mobile communication devices or user equipment (UE) 102, 104, 105 areprovided wireless access via at least one base station or similarwireless transmitting and/or receiving node or point. Base stations aretypically controlled by at least one appropriate controller apparatus,so as to enable operation thereof and management of mobile communicationdevices in communication with the base stations. The controllerapparatus may be located in a radio access network (e.g. wirelesscommunication system 100) or in a core network (not shown) and may beimplemented as one central apparatus or its functionality may bedistributed over several apparatus. The controller apparatus may be partof the base station and/or provided by a separate entity such as a RadioNetwork Controller. In FIG. 1 control apparatus 108 and 109 are shown tocontrol the respective macro level base stations 106 and 107. Thecontrol apparatus of a base station can be interconnected with othercontrol entities. The control apparatus is typically provided withmemory capacity and at least one data processor. The control apparatusand functions may be distributed between a plurality of control units.In some systems, the control apparatus may additionally or alternativelybe provided in a radio network controller. The control apparatus may beas the apparatus shown in FIG. 6, described below.

In FIG. 1 base stations 106 and 107 are shown as connected to a widercommunications network 113 via gateway 112. A further gateway functionmay be provided to connect to another network.

The smaller base stations 116, 118 and 120 may also be connected to thenetwork 113, for example by a separate gateway function and/or via thecontrollers of the macro level stations. The base stations 116, 118 and120 may be pico or femto level base stations or the like. In theexample, stations 116 and 118 are connected via a gateway 111 whilststation 120 connects via the controller apparatus 108. In someembodiments, the smaller stations may not be provided.

A possible mobile communication device will now be described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 2 showing a schematic, partially sectionedview of a communication device 200. Such a communication device is oftenreferred to as user equipment (UE) or terminal. An appropriate mobilecommunication device may be provided by any device capable of sendingand receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include a mobilestation (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known asa ‘smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card orother wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), personal dataassistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communicationcapabilities, or any combinations of these or the like. A mobilecommunication device may provide, for example, communication of data forcarrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), textmessage, multimedia and so on. Users may thus be offered and providednumerous services via their communication devices. Non-limiting examplesof these services include two-way or multi-way calls, data communicationor multimedia services or simply an access to a data communicationsnetwork system, such as the Internet. Users may also be providedbroadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of the contentinclude downloads, television and radio programs, videos,advertisements, various alerts and other information.

The mobile device 200 may receive signals over an air or radio interface207 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals viaappropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In FIG. 2transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 206. Thetransceiver apparatus 206 may be provided for example by means of aradio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangementmay be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

A mobile device is typically provided with at least one data processingentity 201, at least one memory 202 and other possible components 203for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designedto perform, including control of access to and communications withaccess systems and other communication devices. The data processing,storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on anappropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted byreference 204. The user may control the operation of the mobile deviceby means of a suitable user interface such as key pad 205, voicecommands, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or thelike. A display 208, a speaker and a microphone can be also provided.Furthermore, a mobile communication device may comprise appropriateconnectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and/or forconnecting external accessories, for example hands-free equipment,thereto.

The communication devices 102, 104, 105 may access the communicationsystem based on various access techniques, such as code divisionmultiple access (CDMA), or wideband CDMA (WCDMA). Other non-limitingexamples comprise time division multiple access (TDMA), frequencydivision multiple access (FDMA) and various schemes thereof such as theinterleaved frequency division multiple access (IFDMA), single carrierfrequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) and orthogonal frequencydivision multiple access (OFDMA), space division multiple access (SDMA)and so on.

An example of wireless communication systems are architecturesstandardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). A latest3GPP based development is often referred to as the long term evolution(LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)radio-access technology. The various development stages of the 3GPPspecifications are referred to as releases. More recent developments ofthe LTE are often referred to as LTE Advanced (LTE-A). The LTE employs amobile architecture known as the Evolved Universal Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (E-UTRAN). Base stations of such systems are known asevolved or enhanced Node Bs (eNBs) and provide E-UTRAN features such asuser plane Radio Link Control/Medium Access Control/Physical layerprotocol (RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane Radio Resource Control (RRC)protocol terminations towards the communication devices. Other examplesof radio access system include those provided by base stations ofsystems that are based on technologies such as wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) and/or WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess). A base station can provide coverage for an entire cell orsimilar radio service area.

FIG. 3 shows a method, which may be implemented in a recommenderapparatus, of providing network improvement recommendations to a user,for example, a network operator. In a first step S1, the methodcomprises receiving network information. In a second step S2, saidnetwork information may be used to determine whether a change to anetwork is required, and if so, said network information may be used, ina third step S3, to determine at least one cause of a change to thenetwork being required. In a fourth step S4, the method may compriseproviding, in dependence of the at least one cause, at least one optionfor at least one change to said network. The at least one option may bedisplayed to a user and/or operator. Alternatively or in addition, anoption may be implemented automatically. An apparatus comprising aprocessor, a memory and a display may be provided to receive networkinformation, perform a method as described above and display a networkperformance issue, i.e. that a change to a network is required, and/oradjustments to address the performance issue, i.e. an option for changeto a network, to a user.

A change to a network may be a change to network arrangement orimplementation. For example, the change may be a change to networktopology (such as acquisitions of new network equipment and/or networkelement capacity extensions), setup (such as enabling network equipmentfeatures) and/or configuration (such as optimisations and changes to thenetwork configuration). A change to a network may comprise adding and/orchanging the existing properties of hardware (HW), software (SW) and/orfirmware (FW). A change to an existing property may comprise, forexample, antenna lowering tilting or reorientation.

Network information may comprise at least one of network performanceinformation, predicted network performance information and networkenvironment information. Network environment information may compriseinformation regarding environmental factors external to the network.

The recommender may be configured to perform a method comprisingdetermining a network performance issue and determining whether thenetwork is operating under usual conditions and if not, indicating thenetwork performance issue to a user.

In dependence on network performance information, network environmentinformation and network configuration information, at least one cause ofthe network performance issue may be determined. In dependence of the atleast one cause, at least one adjustment to said network may bedetermined.

The recommender may be configured to perform a method comprisingreceiving network performance information, said information indicatingthat a change to a network is required, determining if a trigger eventis occurring and disregarding network performance information associatedwith said trigger event when determining whether to change said network.

A method performed by the recommender may comprise determining if atrigger event is occurring in dependence on network information, forexample network environment information, and disregarding networkinformation associated with said trigger event when determining whethera change to said network is required and at least one option for saidchange. A trigger event may be an extraordinary occurrence in thenetwork environment which affects network performance. Thus, if anetwork performance issue, or a change to a network being required, iscaused by unusual external conditions, network performance issues,options for improving network performance and/or an option for a changeto a network may be provided incorrectly or unnecessarily. Triggerevents may be defined as events which may affect network performancetemporarily and/or are outside the scope of network implementation. Forexample, a trigger event may result in an increase in the traffic orload of a network by introducing an increase in users to a geographicallocation for a short amount of time such as an unusual weather eventand/or natural disaster. Since such events may affect networkperformance temporarily or unpredictably, changing a network whentrigger events are occurring into account may be counterproductive tooverall network performance.

Network information used by the recommender for a decision on the causeof a required change to a network may be the latest availableinformation, so that the recommendations provided, e.g. that a change toa network is required or an option for a change to a network, may bevalid.

Network information, for example, network performance information, maybe obtained from a real time online analytics system. Information mayrelate to, amongst others, service quality such as KPI (key performanceindicators) or KQI (key quality indicators) for a particular technology,QoE (quality of experience, net promoter score, customer experienceindex, churn output, network topology and information, cell load and/orcapacity parameters. Anomalies may be reported with thresholds areviolated or known patterns identified.

Network information may comprise information other than data reportedfrom the network and may comprise, amongst others, actual and historicaldevice distribution, actual and historical device capacity subscribersegmentation, segmentation based on binning parameters such as offpeak,onpeak, traffic growth based on geography (cell and technologyindependent), user behaviour and application usage and subjectivefeedback from subscribers. Predicted network performance information maybe determined using a predictive analytics based on network information,including network performance information. The predicted networkperformance information may be used to identify or forecast anomalies.

Network environment information may use contextual information and mayinvolve, for example, considering external factors. The networkenvironment information may involve determining, based on externalinputs for example, rich site summary (RSS) feeds with alerts from newsagencies, a historical database which provides information regardinge.g. weather, or any other suitable external systems. Networkenvironment information may be determined using context based analytics.The network environment information may be used to provide the networkinformation used in determining whether a trigger event is occurring.

Several databases (sources of data, or network information, may bemaintained). Some examples of databases (DB) are as follows:

-   -   a) a configuration DB: may be used to store the configuration of        each network element including hardware, software and license        capacity. The configuration DB may contain the physical aspects        of a network element such as address, longitude, latitude and        vendor type. For radio Network Elements (NE) the configuration        DB may include the antenna data (for example the height,        azimuth, type and/or tilt (both mechanical tilt (MT) and        electrical tilt (ET))).    -   b) A geographical area DB: may be used to store geographical        dimensions, such as polygon size, composition, location and its        orientation. This Database may be updated with each new network        element.    -   c) RSS feeds: this database may maintain data on events that may        have impact to, for example, capacity and overload of network,        such as force majeure (earthquakes, fire, tsunami, etc), but        also social events such as election, public holiday, wedding,        football match. Such data may comprise network environment        information and may be used in determining whether a network is        operating under usual conditions, i.e. whether a trigger event        is occurring.    -   d) Customer defaults DB: may contain default data of customer        such as frequency spectrum allocation, default/standard        parameters for network layering and power control, agreed        spectrum use for different technology (like 1800 for LTE and        2100 for 3G)    -   e) Device DB: contains the device capability and type aggregated        based on time and location    -   f) Revenue overflow: may contain information regarding the        actual calls/data overflow and equivalent of monetary value in        loss    -   g) Alarms DB: may contain aggregated alarms with impact to        capacity

The data sources that can be used to provide create usable data, ornetwork information to a recommender system may comprise, amongstothers, customer experience management (CEM) clients on devices, e.g.software clients installed on a statistical representative sample ofdevices which may collect service quality and user perceptioninformation, probes, network elements, operations support systems (OSS),CEM systems, which may collect service quality and usage informationfrom mobile network radio and core, device management which can be usedto correlate subscriber information with the device type, creating morereliable recommendations, rich site summary (RSS) feeds which may beused to provide real time contextual information. RSS feeds may be usedto provide network environment information and the data provided by theRSS feeds may be used in determining whether a network is operatingunder usual conditions, i.e. if a trigger event is occurring.

The method, and the apparatus that performs the method, in the casewhere there is a plurality of recommendations, or options for change,for an identified issue, may determine a cost of each recommendation.The cost of each recommendation may comprise Impact on “lost Revenue” orimpact on “traffic overflow” (e.g. number of lost calls). This isavailable both for current time/situation and as well for future (basedon forecasting), the effort and cost of implementation, the risk and/orprobability to address the problem, scalability (how future proof therecommendation is). The apparatus may then determine weighting factorsin dependence of the cost.

A ranking calculation may be based on weighting of these inputs, withthe weights adjusted based on historical trends (which may be definedusing predictive analytics or machine learning) or human inputs.

Each recommendation, or option for change to a network, may comprise anadjustment to address a network performance issue. Such a recommendationmay comprise a software and/or hardware adjustment to the network. Forexample, the adjustment may comprise, introducing new equipment, featureor service, a capacity extension or other scope to the network. Therecommender uses latest information that is required for decision on theroot cause and recommendation, so that the recommendations are valid.

The method may provide several options for taking action on therecommendation, e.g. actions may be any one of sending therecommendation for review/approval by another team, planning thedeployment of the recommendation for a later stage, requesting a quotefrom the supplier of network equipment to determine the cost ofimplementing that recommendation and issuing the purchase order of thenecessary goods or services to the supplier.

A recommendations display may show all recommendations with appropriatestatus, to indicate whether the recommendations are new or alreadyprocessed and being ordered.

FIG. 4 shows blocks of an apparatus, or recommender system 400, whichmay be used to implement the method of FIG. 3. FIGS. 5 and 6 show adetailed flowchart of one example of a recommender system performing themethod of FIG. 3.

The example shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 involves simply one example of anetwork performance issue which may occur in a network, be identified bythe recommender system and for which the recommender system mayrecommend a solution. The set of recommendations and scenarios to whichthe recommender system may be applied are much wider than the exampledescribed below. Mobile operators may build overlaying technology (e.g.2G, 3G, and 4G) networks that have overlapping cells of the samegeographical area. In the case that one of the technologies becomescongested, there can be a loss of revenue due to traffic overflow. FIGS.4, 5 and 6 show an example of the logic that a recommender system mayuse in this case, by way of example, to identify a network performanceissue, or that a change to a network is required and to address thenetwork performance issue, i.e. to provide at least one option for atleast one change to said network to manage traffic sharing acrossdifferent technologies.

In the system of FIG. 4, data sources 410 such as clients on devices,e.g. software on a user's phone, probes, CEM and device management, aswell as other data sources 420, which may be used to provide networkinformation. The data is provided to an analytics engine 430 and fromthere to a recommender and actions engine 440 or to recommendationsblock 450. The recommendations block may provide information torecommendations block 450 or action execution block 460.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a recommender system 500, such as that ofFIG. 4. The recommender 500 may aggregate data, or network information,from a number of data sources 510. In the example shown in FIG. 5, therecommender aggregates data from OSS Performance Manager, CEM ServiceQuality, Customer Defaults, Fault Management, CEM serve quality andnetwork element configuration. Aggregator 530 may provide predictivenetwork performance information, for example a three month trafficprediction, in dependence on the data.

If, in dependence on the network information, it is determined thatnetwork capacity is not sufficient and/or balanced, i.e. a networkperformance issue has been identified and a change to a network isrequired, an analytics engine 540, which will be described in moredetail below, may determine the root cause of the capacity issue, usingthe network information. The analytics may also determine if the networkis operating under normal conditions, i.e. if a trigger event isoccurring. The analytics engine 540 may provide a recommendation. Therecommendation may be provided to an operator on a graphical display 550to take further action or may be executed automatically. The recommendermay take RSS feeds, alarms, device capability and geographicalproperties of the cells into consideration when creating therecommendation. A graphical display 550 may highlight all requiredinformation. E.g. the information may be colour coded. Such highlightingmay provide ease of use to an operator.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an analytics engine, such as that of FIG. 4, in moredetail. The analytics engine may comprise 3 blocks as shown in FIG. 5:

-   -   a) A root cause analysis block 541: root cause analysis is a        logic, defined in order to narrow down and isolate the root        cause of a network performance issue. Each root cause has a        unique solution, or option for change to a network, (or set of        solutions) that (after execution of the solution) should address        the network performance issue.    -   b) Pattern recognition block 542: pattern recognition is a logic        that is used to identify previously identified (or learned)        patterns that helps to avoid potential problems in future, and        prevent reoccurrence of problems.    -   c) Inside builder/thresholds block 543 the content of this        functional block is related to predefined thresholds, parameter        setting and hardware and/or software configurations in relation        to capacity insights.

The flow chart 600 shown in FIG. 6 shows the root cause logic 610 fordetermining a root cause in the overlaying technologies problemdescribed above. The set of recommendations and scenarios to which therecommender system may be applied are much wider. As can be seen in FIG.6, to check that the network is operating under normal conditions, e.g.whether a trigger event is occurring, the root cause analysis block 610may include a step T1 of determining whether a RSS feed flag is active.If so, no action is required. Otherwise, the root cause logic blockdetermines, in this example, whether technology load is balanced T2,device mix is balanced T3, if there is an incorrect network setting T4or if the network is causing battery drain T5. The answers to thesequestions are used to determine a root cause 620 of a change beingrequired. The questions used to determine a root cause of a change tothe network being required depending on the network performance issue.At least one option for change, or recommendation, can then beestablished in dependence on the root cause 620.

It should be understood that each block of the flowchart of FIGS. 3 to 6and any combination thereof may be implemented by various means or theircombinations, such as hardware, software, firmware, one or moreprocessors and/or circuitry. A recommender method such as that of FIGS.3 to 6 may be implemented in general operations and maintenance (O&M)elements, or on an umbrella platform that covers, i.e. combines, CEM OSSand self-organising network (SON) systems.

An example apparatus 700 is shown in FIG. 7. Apparatus 700 comprisesmeans 710 for receiving network information, means 720 for using saidnetwork information to determine whether a change to a network isrequired, and means 730 for, if so, using said network information todetermine at least one cause of a change to the network being requiredand means 740 for providing, in dependence of the at least one cause, atleast one option for at least one change to said network.

Changes to a network may be caused to be implemented on a controlapparatus such as that shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows an example of acontrol apparatus 300 for a communication system, for example to becoupled to and/or for controlling a network element, for example astation of an access system, such as a base station or (e) node B, or aserver or host. The control apparatus 300 may be coupled to and/orcontrol a core node or network element. In other embodiments, thecontrol apparatus 300 can be another network element such as a radionetwork controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, a basestation may have such a control apparatus as well as a control apparatusbeing provided in a radio network controller. The control apparatus 300can be arranged to provide control on communications in the service areaof the system. The control apparatus 300 comprises at least one memory301, at least one data processing unit 302, 303 and an input/outputinterface 304. Via the interface the control apparatus can be coupled toa receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and/orthe transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remoteradio head. For example the control apparatus 300 can be configured toexecute an appropriate software code to provide the control functions.The controller may be used to provide network information to therecommender system performing the methods described above.

It should be understood that the apparatuses may include or be coupledto other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, usedin or for transmission and/or reception. Although the apparatuses havebeen described as one entity, different modules and memory may beimplemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

It is noted that some whilst embodiments have been described in relationto 2G, 3G and 4G, similar principles can be applied to any othercommunication network. Therefore, although certain embodiments weredescribed above by way of example with reference to certain examplearchitectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards,embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communicationsystems than those illustrated and described herein.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes exampleembodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may bemade to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware orspecial purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof.Some aspects of the invention may be implemented in hardware, whileother aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may beexecuted by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device,although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects ofthe invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is wellunderstood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methodsdescribed herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples,hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, generalpurpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or somecombination thereof.

The embodiments of this invention may be implemented by computersoftware executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as inthe processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of softwareand hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product,including software routines, applets and/or macros, may be stored in anyapparatus-readable data storage medium and they include programinstructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product maycomprise one or more computer-executable components which, when theprogram is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or morecomputer-executable components may be at least one software code orportions of it.

Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logicflow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnectedlogic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program stepsand logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored onsuch physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented withinthe processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, andoptical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD.The physical media is a non-transitory media.

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technicalenvironment and may be implemented using any suitable data storagetechnology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memorydevices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memoryand removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable tothe local technical environment, and may include one or more of generalpurpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digitalsignal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits(ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi-coreprocessor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

Embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in various componentssuch as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits isby and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful softwaretools are available for converting a logic level design into asemiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on asemiconductor substrate.

The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples afull and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of thisinvention. However, various modifications and adaptations may becomeapparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoingdescription, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings andthe appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of theteachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of thisinvention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed there is a furtherembodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with anyof the other embodiments previously discussed.

We claim:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving network information; usingsaid network information to determine whether at least one change to anetwork is required; using said network information to determine atleast one cause of the at least one change; providing, in dependence ofthe at least one cause, at least one option for at least one adjustmentto said network; and determining if at least one trigger event isoccurring in dependence on said network information, wherein saidnetwork information comprises: network environment informationdetermined using context-based analytics of contextual informationexternal to said network, and the at least one trigger event is an eventoutside the scope of network implementation.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising: disregarding network information associated withsaid at least one trigger event when determining whether to change saidnetwork.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: causing said atleast one adjustment to said network.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining a potential cost of said at least one adjustmentin dependence on said network information.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining at least one weighting factor independence on said potential cost.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: applying said at least one weighting factor to a pluralityof options.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said networkinformation comprises at least one of network quality information,network capacity information, network load information, network topologyinformation, and customer usage information.
 8. The method according toclaim 1, wherein said at least one adjustment comprises at least onehardware adjustment.
 9. An apparatus, comprising: at least oneprocessor; and at least one memory including computer program code, theat least one memory and the computer program code configured to, withthe at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receivenetwork information; use said network information to determine whetherat least one change to a network is required; use said networkinformation to determine at least one cause of the at least one change;provide, in dependence of the at least one cause, at least one optionfor at least one adjustment to said network; and determine if at leastone trigger event is occurring in dependence on said networkinformation, wherein said network information comprises: networkenvironment information determined using context-based analytics ofcontextual information external to said network, and the at least onetrigger event is an event outside the scope of network implementation.10. The apparatus of claim 9, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code being further configured to, with the at least oneprocessor, cause the apparatus at least to: disregard networkinformation associated with said at least one trigger event whendetermining whether to change said network.
 11. The apparatus of claim9, the at least one memory and the computer program code being furtherconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus atleast to: cause said at least one adjustment to said network.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 9, the at least one memory and the computer programcode being further configured to, with the at least one processor, causethe apparatus at least to: determine a potential cost of said at leastone adjustment in dependence on said network information.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 9, the at least one memory and the computer programcode being further configured to, with the at least one processor, causethe apparatus at least to: determine at least one weighting factor independence on said potential cost.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, the atleast one memory and the computer program code being further configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:apply said at least one weighting factor to a plurality of options. 15.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said network information comprises atleast one of network quality information, network capacity information,network load information, network topology information, and customerusage information.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein saidat least one adjustment comprises at least one hardware adjustment. 17.A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer usableinstructions stored thereon for execution by a processor, wherein thecomputer usable instructions cause the processor to: receive networkinformation; use said network information to determine whether at leastone change to a network is required; use said network information todetermine at least one cause of the at least one change; provide, independence of the at least one cause, at least one option for at leastone adjustment to said network; and determine if at least one triggerevent is occurring in dependence on said network information, whereinsaid network information comprises: network environment informationdetermined using context-based analytics of contextual informationexternal to said network, and the at least one trigger event is an eventoutside the scope of network implementation.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the computer usableinstructions further cause the processor to: disregard networkinformation associated with said at least one trigger event whendetermining whether to change said network.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the computer usableinstructions further cause the processor to: cause said at least oneadjustment to said network.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 17, wherein the computer usable instructions furthercause the processor to: determine a potential cost of said at least oneadjustment in dependence on said network information.